Getting To Know The Concept Of Twin Cities: An Inspirational Intercity Collaboration

YOGYAKARTA - Bambang Susantono, former Head of the Archipelago Capital Authority (IKN), stated that Jakarta will still be the nation's capital for the next few years. He made this statement when the Indonesian Planning School Association (ASPI) recommended the concept of "twin cities" between Jakarta and IKN. Let's get to know the concept of twin cities more deeply!

The reason is, in an increasingly connected world, cross-border cooperation is an efficient method to encourage economic, social, and cultural development. One form of cooperation that is increasingly famous is the concept of twin cities, or twin cities.

This designation refers to a special bond between 2 cities that have similarities or common goals, which are generally separated by national boundaries. Through this article, we will recognize the concept of twin cities more deeply, and master the benefits that can result from this relationship.

In simple terms, twin cities are partnership relationships between 2 cities located in different countries. This collaboration was formed on the basis of common interests, be it in the economic, social, cultural, or educational aspects. Generally, this partnership is signed by the respective city governments and aims to improve communication and information exchange as well as experiences between cities.

Relations between twin cities are also often marked by official agreements. However, not only is the form of official cooperation, the bond between twin cities often includes various informal activities that include the general public, such as student exchange programs, joint cultural events, or cooperation between non-governmental organizations.

A Short History Of Twin Cities

The concept of twin cities or twin cities was first introduced after World War II as an effort to rebuild international relations damaged by global conflicts. The goal is to create friendship between countries and encourage peace through cultural and social exchanges.

The pre-occurrence of twin cities began by city councils in several European countries, which after that developed into a global phenomenon. One example is the relationship between Coventry (England) and Stalingrad (Russia) in 1944, which aims to strengthen relations during wartime. Since then, the concept of twin cities has continued to grow, linking cities around the world, including in Asia, America, and Africa.

Benefits of Twin Cities Relations

By getting to know the concept of twin cities, we can see the various benefits resulting from this relationship. One of the main benefits is economic exchange. Many twin cities exchange experiences in the development of local industries, technology, and innovation. This allows cities to learn from each other, adopt the best practices, and create a more competitive business environment.

On the other hand, twin cities also encourage collaboration in the field of education and culture. Student exchange programs, for example, allow students from both cities to study in partner countries and gain international insight. Not only that, various cultural events such as art festivals, music performances, or art exhibitions are often held together, which enrich the cultural life of the two cities.

Not only that, cooperation in the field of infrastructure and urban planning is also often the focus of twin cities. Cities that are more advanced in terms of sustainable development or smart city management (smart city) can share knowledge with their twin cities which may still be in the development stage. Thus, this relationship not only benefits one city, but also supports twin cities in achieving their goals.

Examples of Twin Cities

Some of the world's most famous twin cities include Paris (France) with Rome (Italy), Beijing (Chingkok) with Tokyo (Japan), and New York (US) with London (England). Each of these city pairs has a long history of cooperation that covers various fields, from economy to culture.

In Indonesia, the concept of twin cities has also been adopted. One example is the bond between Jakarta and Rotterdam in the Netherlands. This collaboration focuses on water management, where Rotterdam, which is famous for its expertise in water management and canal systems, provides assistance and shares knowledge with Jakarta, which often experiences flood problems.

Challenges In The Implementation Of Twin Cities

Although there are many benefits from the concept of twin cities, the implementation does not always run smoothly. One of the main challenges is policy differences and regulations between 2 cities in different countries. Each country has a different political system and bureaucracy, which can sometimes slow down the cooperation process.